A Day at a Time

When we decided to go gluten and dairy free for K.bear we saw results almost instantly. Therefore, keeping up with the life changes we implemented were quite simple to accept. However, not all people can or will see results that quickly making a commitment to change ones former way of eating may at times seem like an impossible task. If you and your doctor feel that making a complete diet make over is necessary and a good option then; I encourage you to stick it out through the long haul. I know it is hard and can be expensive. However, if food is your enemy then food is also part of your solution.

Our bodies did not become overloaded  over night. Years of build up in our systems are just now being passed onto our future generations. I’m afraid we are just at beginning of discovering how severe the many years of convenience and overly processed foods have been on our bodies. When combined with increased pesticide and environmental pollution the havoc our bodies have endured is now showing its face. With the increased cancer statistics, autism rates, tumors, mental health disorders, celiac disease, childhood allergies, diabetes, and blood pressure it is paramount that we go back to our roots. You might need to dig deep to find your perfect solution but going back to the way our great ancestors once did I think is a great place to start. The deterioration didn’t happen in a day so it is unreasonable to expect to see results in a day. It may take time and patience, but if you are having problems and searching for answers then  it is a good assumption that a commitment is going to be needed. The key to healing is time; the healing is your health and your future. (Tweet That)

Brands We Love

Nearly two years ago as I cleared out our pantry shelves, emptied the freezers, dumped, and donated 75% of our food; surely I thought; “I’ve I lost my marbles” occurred more than a few times. What were we going to eat? What would I feed my family of five {soon to be six}? 


Thankfully several friends served as a guiding light in many ways; they shared stories of baking triumphs and failures. They led me to brands their families enjoy and the stores that carry them. It quickly became clear that I was out of my normal shopping zone and I hope if you are making a switch that this can in some small way serve as your light. Those days of purging food were dark and having hands to hold got me through it.

 A typical shopping trip for me once included mostly organic foods (crackers, snacks, pastas, sauces, etc.) fruit and veggies were ordered from Door2Door Organics or the local farmers market, and all meat was ordered from an area farm. How was I to know that just because it’s “organic” the first ingredients were still wheat flour? If the flour used was wheat regardless of the non-chemically altered state it was no longer going to work in our home. I needed wheat, barley, rye, and oat free. Organic or not my list was vastly different.

In fact did you know you know that shopping the outskirts of your grocery store is actually the only part you really need? The inner stocked shelves are mostly processed foods that our bodies have become overloaded with. Now, that said; balance is vital in a gluten free diet or any “diet” per say. Remember just because it’s a gluten free packaged item in no way does it make it healthier. Gluten free foods are typically not fortified with the added vitamins as it’s “normal” counterparts. Eating gluten free is not a weight loss diet either as many of the foods carry a higher sugar or fat content in order to compensate for the texture “loss” that gluten provides.  

Some products we use/enjoy;
Udi brand most anything (bread, bagels, cookies, and cinnamon rolls
Bobs Red Mill or Trader Joes GF oats
Trader Joe wheat less waffles
Glutino Pretzels

*I will continue to compile a list of products we use. Affiliate links are included for your convenience if a purchase should be made directly through these links a portion of the sale will help support my family.

Dirty Laundry

Today’s post is going to stretch my abilities as I make an effort to stick with my 31days {Food Intolerance’s} and Five Minute Friday {fun}. Ha, nutrition and “laundry” {today’s prompt} I’ve got this,right? Here goes unedited, five minutes..

Go…
 I’m inviting you all to join me for a tasty treat. Sometimes life is full of ups and downs and we find ourselves carrying too many bags. Bags of dirty laundry; the kind filled with fear, tears, pain,stress, and heartache. The bags of lost loved ones, divorce, separation, and mangled friendships. These bags weigh us down. They keep us grounded. It is hard to breathe and lift our head above one more piece because surely if we move everything will come crashing. Spiraling out of control; feelings of hurt, pain, and fear all surface as we sort. We begin to sort; treating the stains worth keeping. One bag at a time we begin to see the bottom again, but this time although the bag may appear empty it is in fact very full; perseverance, hard work, trust, love, and friendship sit nicely folded until the next turn of the basket. Life gets messy and the laundry consumes us and sometimes we just need to know when to get away from it all; hang up the clothes, breathe and walk away. Seek comfort in the things that bring us the most joy; our families, good fellowship, and you know, chocolate chip cookies. The laundry won’t fold its self, and the stains need treating. However, today enjoy a treat on me. 

 Chocolate Chip Cookies 

*We made ours gluten free and they can easily be made dairy free using a product like Earthbalance. 

Ingredients

1 C. butter or alternative
1 C. white sugar
1 C. brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
3 c. all purpose flour (or GF flour mixture)
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 C. Chocolate chips
1 C. walnuts (we used oats)

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  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F 
  2. Cream together the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Add baking soda and salt. Stir in flour, chocolate chips, and nuts. {we subbed the nuts for oats}. Drop by large spoonfuls onto ungreased pans.
  3. Bake for about 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges are nicely browned.